_edited.jpg)
ElitePetz
Certification Authority
ElitePetz
Certification Authority
Independent Certification Body
Governance · Certification Marks
Certification Badge Usage Policy
The ElitePetz Certified badge is a verification aid—not a general endorsement. It may identify only the certified entity named in the public registry and only while that certification is active.
Status
Current
DOCUMENT ID
EP-GOV-MRK-001
VERSION
1.0
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 10, 2026
The rule in brief
Use it accurately. Link it to the record. Remove it when status changes.
01
Active status only
Confirm the registry record before every new use and after any status notice.
02
One entity, one claim
Never extend a badge to an owner, affiliate, location, animal, product, or service that is not within scope.
03
Verification is one click away
Every digital badge must link directly to the matching official registry record.
01 Purpose and controlling rule
This policy governs use of the ElitePetz Certified badge, the words “ElitePetz Certified,” and any other ElitePetz certification mark supplied for public display. It applies to websites, social media, advertising, listings, signage, documents, packaging, and other communications.
Controlling rule: the public registry is the authoritative source for certification status and scope. A badge is a visual reference to that record; it is not evidence independent of the record.
02 Scope and definitions
Authorized user
The certified legal entity named in an active ElitePetz registry record, or a person acting with that entity’s permission and within this policy.
Badge
An official certification graphic provided or approved by ElitePetz, including any approved status-specific version.
Registry record
The official public record showing the entity name, reference number, scope, and current certification status.
Certification claim
Any words, image, link, or context that states or reasonably implies that an entity holds ElitePetz certification.
An authorized user may display the current badge only when every condition below is met:
03 Authorized use
The named entity’s registry status is active at the time of display.
The surrounding text accurately identifies the certified legal entity and does not broaden the certified scope.
The badge is reproduced from an official asset without alteration, except proportionate resizing.
On a digital surface, the badge links directly to that entity’s official ElitePetz registry record.
The display is not more prominent than the user’s own name or brand and does not imply ownership, partnership, sponsorship, or product approval by ElitePetz.
The user monitors the display and corrects or removes it promptly when the record or these requirements change.
SAMPLE — NOT A VALID CERTIFICATION
Use the official badge asset provided by ElitePetz. Display the badge only in its approved form and in accordance with the presentation and technical standards below.
Do not extract, trace, redraw, animate, recolor, modify, or recreate the badge. Contact ElitePetz if you need an approved file format or replacement asset.
04 Presentation and technical standards
Clear space
Keep surrounding text, images, and borders at least one quarter of the badge width away on every side.
Minimum size
Display at no less than 96 CSS pixels wide on screen or 25 mm wide in print, unless an approved asset guide states otherwise.
Contrast
Use only an approved color version on a background that preserves clear edges, legibility, and accessible contrast.
Accessible name
Use alternative text such as “ElitePetz Certified — verify [entity name]” for informative digital badges.
Digital badge implementation requirements
Element
Requirement
Example
Destination
Direct HTTPS URL for the matching registry record; do not link to a homepage, image, or self-authored certificate.
elitepetz.com/verify-certification?id=…
Link behavior
The complete badge is one link. If it opens a new tab, disclose that behavior to assistive technology.
target="_blank" rel="noopener"
Image
Use the official SVG or high-resolution raster asset with intrinsic dimensions to reduce layout shift.
width and height set
Context
Place the certified entity name close to the badge when the page could reasonably refer to more than one business.
“Certification held by [legal entity].”
05 Prohibited use
The badge or certification designation must not be used in a way that is false, altered, ambiguous, or likely to overstate what ElitePetz has certified.
Do not display it while certification is pending, expired, suspended, revoked, surrendered, or otherwise inactive.
Do not imply that ElitePetz certifies a particular animal, litter, product, service, transaction, health outcome, legal compliance, or future performance unless the registry record expressly says so.
Do not extend certification to a parent company, subsidiary, franchise, affiliate, separate location, marketplace seller, or individual not identified in the certified scope.
Do not place the badge where it could be read as a guarantee, warranty, consumer rating, veterinary opinion, government approval, or endorsement.
Do not alter the wording, proportions, colors, typography, symbols, transparency, orientation, or protective space of an official asset.
Do not combine the badge with another logo, create a derivative mark, use it as an app icon or profile image, or incorporate it into a business name, domain, handle, or product name.
Do not sell, license, transfer, assign, tokenize, or provide the badge asset for another party’s independent use.
06 Status changes and removal
Certification claims must reflect the registry’s current status. When ElitePetz issues a status notice, the certified entity must follow the deadline and instructions in that notice.
Default removal deadline
Unless a notice requires earlier action, remove active-status badges and claims from all controlled digital surfaces within 48 hours and from controlled physical materials within 10 business days after certification becomes inactive. Stop distributing newly produced materials immediately.
Archived posts or third-party listings under the entity’s control must be corrected where technically feasible. If immediate correction is not possible, the entity must document its request to the platform and avoid further distribution. Nothing here limits any faster or additional corrective action authorized under the governing certification agreement or enforcement policies.
07 Monitoring, correction, and reporting
Authorized users are responsible for uses by their employees, contractors, agencies, and other representatives. They must keep an inventory of material public uses, review active displays periodically, and provide reasonable evidence of correction when requested.
Anyone may report suspected misuse. A report is information for assessment and does not itself establish a violation. ElitePetz may request correction, restrict or withdraw permission to use its marks, update the public record, or refer the matter for action under its applicable governance procedures.
Found a badge on another website?
Check the linked registry record first. If the badge does not link to a matching active record, preserve the URL and a dated screenshot, then use the official reporting channel.
08 Relationship to other policies
This page controls the display and technical use of certification marks. It does not restate the broader duties, status criteria, decision authority, or review procedures governed elsewhere.
→
→
→
→
→
→
09 Ownership, review, and version history
Policy owner: ElitePetz Certification Authority, Governance function
Review cycle: At least annually and after a material change to the badge, registry, certification agreement, or applicable law
Last reviewed: September 10, 2026
Next scheduled review: September 10, 2027
Version | Published | Effective | Summary | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1.0 | Sep 10, 2026 | Sep 10, 2026 | Initial consolidated badge-use standard. | Current |